As kids grow into teenagers, their thinking abilities change a lot. This process is influenced by growth in their brains and their surroundings. Let’s break down some important changes that happen during this time.

Key Changes in Thinking:

1. Abstract Thinking:

   • Young children usually think about things they can see or touch. But by the time they reach their teen years, they start thinking about ideas and possibilities.
   • A researcher named Piaget found that about half of teens can think in more complex ways when they are between 11 and 12 years old. This shows they are starting to move on from earlier ways of thinking.

2. Problem Solving:

   • Teens are better at solving problems than younger kids. They can think about different ways to solve a problem and choose the best solution.
   • Research has shown that teens can improve their problem-solving skills by more than 30% from childhood to late adolescence. This is because they are learning to think in more advanced ways.

3. Metacognition:

   • This is a fancy word that means thinking about how we think. During their teen years, kids get better at understanding their own thoughts. This helps them plan better, check how well they are doing, and understand what they know.
   • A study showed that starting around ages 12-16, teens use metacognitive strategies more effectively, which helps them learn better.

4. Memory:

   • Teenagers also get better at remembering things. While younger children often memorize by repeating information, teens start using smarter techniques, like using memory tricks and organizing information.
   • Studies show that memory recall can improve by about 20% between ages 7 and 14. This means teens are learning to use better strategies to help them remember information.

5. Social Cognition:

   • Teens also get better at understanding people and social situations. They learn to read social cues and see things from other people's perspectives.
   • By the time they are 15, about 70% of teenagers can handle tricky social situations well, which is something younger kids often struggle with.

Conclusion:

The time between childhood and the teenage years is super important for how kids think and learn. These changes help shape who they are, how they interact with friends, and how they do in school. Knowing about these changes can help teachers, parents, and researchers support teens as they go through this exciting but challenging time. Studies show that kids grow in their thinking abilities during these years, which helps us recognize the unique struggles and skills that come with becoming a teenager.